When Should You Put Your Winter Tires On?

Chaos ensues at local tire shops when the snow belt states get their first flurries of the season. Like an animal instinct, the first sign of fluffy white flakes has people running to the garage, stuffing the family hauler with dusty winter rubber and racing off to the installation shop. Problem is, by then it’s already too late.

Winter tires should be installed well in advance of the first snowfall. Regardless of whether they are snow tires, ice tires or winter performance tires, all cold weather rubber is designed for more than just messy weather. These tires feature rubber compound and tread designs that are created to help maintain traction in colder weather even if the roads are clear and dry.

So When is it Time for a Change?

Well there isn’t a simple answer; it depends on the type of tire installed on your car and the brand that made them. But as a general rule, all-season tires should be switched over when temperatures begin falling below the 45 degree mark. At this point, all-season tires begin the ‘harden’ up as the rubber compound they are made out of starts to lose its elasticity. The colder the temperature gets, the less pliable a tire gets and eventually becomes so hard it is more like a giant plastic circle than a rubber tire.

Consider the time of day you’re driving as well. While daily highs could be well above 50 degrees, the temperature could be below 45 in early morning and in the evening when you do your daily commute.

Tires Freeze

To understand how much grip is lost when a tire freezes, imagine walking around on a skating rink with rubber soled winter boots and then trying it again in a pair of tap shoes. Frozen tires also limit the amount of sidewall flex that can lead to unpredictable tire behavior on rough or snow-rutted roads. As well, when a tire freezes up, it’s more prone to faster tread wear.

Those using summer tires need to switch things over even earlier. The rubber compound in these performance orientated tires is designed to handle extremely hot temperatures, the flip side being a higher freezing point. Aim to change these tires over when temperatures begin to dip below 50 degrees consistently.

Mark it on Your Calendar

We understand that not everyone will be glued to a thermometer day in and day out waiting for the day when temperatures dip low enough to require a tire change. Many people pick a calendar date to perform a tire swap when temperatures usually hit the changeover zone for their region. But, installing winter tires too early when temperatures are too high can cause the tire to overheat and be just as detrimental to both tire life and vehicle drivability as driving on an all-season tire in the winter.

It is best to consult your local tire shop as to when they recommend swapping over your tires. But using the general guideline of 45 degrees for all-season tires and 50 degrees for summer tires should help keep you safe on the road and get the longest use out of your tires.

(courtesy of AutoGuide.com)

How to Decorate Christmas Lights on Your Car

Decorating your car with Christmas lights is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays. Although decorating a car with lights may seem complicated or cumbersome, it is actually a simple and straightforward process. The tools you will need are readily available at most retailers, and the installation is fast and easy. Just be sure to take recommended safety measures to avoid accidents and serious injuries.


Things You'll Need

• Power inverter
• Christmas lights
• Star washer

Instructions

1. Check with local authorities whether installing Christmas lights on cars is permitted in your area. Local ordinances vary from area to area, and in some places decorating your car with Christmas lights may be considered illegal. This is because the lights might be considered a distraction for others on the road.

2. Buy a suitable inverter for your car. A 12v DC inverter, available at most hardware stores, changes12v DC electricity into 110v AC electricity, supplying usable power to the Christmas lights in the car. In other words, the inverter draws power from the car battery and changes it to a form the lights can use. Be careful not to confuse this device with a converter. A converter will do the opposite, changing 110v AC to 12v DC.
       
3. Install the inverter. You will need to draw at least 400 watts from the inverter, and therefore cannot use a standard inverter that supports loads of up to 150 watts. Because you are using a heavy duty inverter, you will have to connect it directly to the car battery, and not the lighter adapter as the standard inverter. To install, unscrew the nut from the positive terminal on the battery, and attach the power lead terminal over the bolt securing the terminal to the battery post. Replace the nut.
       
4. Ground the inverter. Choose a suitable small metal object, such as a screw or bolt, that is in direct contact with the metal body of the car and is near the inverter. Detach the screw or bolt and remove any surface deposits such as grime. Take the ground wire from the inverter, attach its end to a star washer, and slip it underneath the bolt or screw. Replace the screw, making sure the ground wire remains attached.
       
5. Buy Christmas lights. Once the inverter has been properly installed, you can choose virtually any type of lighting, from low budget standard Christmas lights, to elaborate electronically-controlled lighting that blinks different colors or lights that chase back and forth.
       
6. String the lights along the inside of your car. Some people prefer to string their lights on the outside of their car. If you choose to do this instead, be sure to string them on the outside of your car in dry weather only. Remove them if the weather forecast calls for rain, sleet, or snow.
       
7. Attach the lights to the inverter connector. When you string the lights, one end will have the input for power supply. Connect the inverter to the power input for the lights, and move the connecting wires so they are not exposed.

(courtesy of eHow)

Poll Question: What's Your Favorite Winter Activity?

Winter season is in full swing, which means that it's the perfect time for lovers of the snow to partake in their favorite winter activities! So just for a little Friday fun, we want to know: what is your favorite winter activity?

What is Your Favorite Winter Activity?

Snowboarding

Skiing

Ice Skating

Hockey

Sledding

Making Snowmen

Making Snow Angels

Other

Poll Maker

Feel free to let us know if there's one that we forgot!

Picking Out the Right Car for Your New Driver

It’s one of the most exciting times in your teenager’s life thus far, and probably one of the scariest in yours – they are about to get their driver’s license and they are bugging you about which car they will be driving. Most of them will want the coolest, hippest, and best car to show off to their friends, but what’s the best logical and financial decision? Do you splurge to buy them the safest new car on the lot, or do you opt to buy a cheaper used vehicle that won’t do as much damage to your wallet?

Studies have shown that teenage drivers are less likely to be involved in a crash when they are driving their parent’s vehicle over their own. Unfortunately, sharing vehicles is not always the ideal situation and just down right can’t be done in some circumstances. When this is the case, you have a lot of things that should be taken into consideration.

New Cars vs. Used Cars

It’s a no brainer that new cars have the highest safety ratings available along with all the new components that will help keep them safe in the event of an accident. They are also made to be more reliable, have better gas mileage, and often lower insurance rates. Oh yeah, let’s not forgot that if your teen does happen to get into a crash in their new car; it has a full warranty on it, too.  The safety features that most new cars are equipped with that many old used cars don’t, are:

• Anti-lock brakes
• Traction control
• Stability control
• Steering wheel and dashboard air bags
• Side air bags
• Side curtain air bags
• Seat belt pretensioners

Many parents opt to buy a used car for their first time driver because it’s simply cheaper. Though older cars lack the latest safety equipment and their insurance rates tend to be higher on older cars due to the fact that they are more often stolen for their parts than a new vehicle would be, the smaller price tag tends to outweigh the insurance costs on used vehicles. Before deciding on whether to buy a new or used car, truck, or SUV; you should weigh all of these things against the budget you have set in mind. If your teen is working and is going to be helping out with making the payments and insurance costs, you may want to splurge for the new car and all the safety features. If you are making the payments on your own it may make more sense to purchase a gently used two or three-year-old vehicle that still has good safety ratings, but a lower price tag.

Size Does Matter

Whether you are an experienced driver or just getting your license, the phrase rings true. Finding a safe reliable car that is also in the mid-to-large size category could be the difference of life or death in a crash. NHTSA chief, Jeffrey Runge, states that while some compact vehicles gain a 5-star rating in their crash tests, they are only compared to other small vehicles. The bigger and heavier the vehicle is, the safer your teen will be.

On the other hand, you should avoid SUVs or full-sized trucks for your new driver. Why, you said bigger was better! This is true, but these vehicles have a higher roll-over rate,
and if your teen happens to hit a patch of ice in the winter and starts to swerve, it’s likely they will overcorrect the steering which is the leading cause of roll-over crashes. These vehicles also are more expensive to own with:

• Lower MPG ratings
• Bigger fuel tank
• Higher insurance costs
• Bigger price tag

It’s actually safer, and much cheaper, to choose a large family sedan for your teen driver than a big SUV.

Sport Cars are For the Adults

Teenagers are all about the cool-factor, and what’s cooler than having a sports car in high school? Nothing, according to students! These cars are definitely cool, but they tend to lack some important safety features, and the drivers tend to drive them to match their images – fast and reckless. It’s best to avoid this issue and save the sports cars for the adults that have some experience behind the wheel. Sports cars also carry much higher insurance rates than a family vehicle because of the statistics behind them – they are involved in more car accidents each year than any other vehicle type, according to the NHTSA.

Automatic Transmissions are Best

All drivers should have some kind of idea how to drive a manual transmission in case of an emergency, but it’s best to opt for an automatic for your first time driver. Transmissions are extremely expensive and if you’re getting a new car for your driver and they don’t know how to drive it just yet, you don’t want them burning the clutch or breaking the transmission. Not to mention, focusing on when to shift will distract the driver, and they need all the focus they can get.

As We See It

Picking out the safest and best car for your teenage driver is a stressful, yet important, decision and should involve careful consideration. While there is no right or wrong choice we can give you, it’s important to remember that whether you choose a new or used vehicle, that you pick one with good safety features.

(courtesy of autocreditexpress.com)

The World's Fastest Roads

What's the fastest you've legally driven? If you're in the U.S., probably 75 MPH. Well, if you have a fast car you want to redline without going to jail, we would recommend a trip to any of these ten locations:

10) Texas: SH 130

Where Is It: Central Texas, near Austin.

Speed Limit: 85 MPH, fastest in North America.

Fastest Stretch: Between any two toll booths south of 290 and east of I-35.


9) Bulgaria: Trakia highway

Where Is It: Starts at the capital.

Speed Limit: 87 MPH.

Fastest Stretch: Between Sofia and Burgas.


8) Poland: A4

Where Is It: Starts at the German border.

Speed Limit: 87 MPH.

Fastest Stretch: Between Jędrzychowice and Tarnów.

You can even go 6 mph faster without getting a ticket.


7) Dubai: E 11

Where Is It: It's the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Highway.

Speed Limit: 87 MPH.

Fastest Stretch: In Jebel Ali.

They used to have a 100 mph limit.


6) Italy: A1

Where Is It: Between Milan and Rome.

Speed Limit: 93 MPH.

Fastest Stretch: Between Milan and Rome.


5) Nürburgring

Where Is It: Near Nürburg.

Speed Limit: What?

Fastest Stretch: All the way.


4) Isle of Man

Where Is It: In the middle of the Irish Sea.

Speed Limit: Whatever you can do.

Fastest Stretch: Ask Clarkson.


3) Australia: The Outback

Where Is It: Between Alice Springs and Barrow Creek.

Speed Limit: Will be unlimited soon.

Fastest Stretch: Wherever you won't hit kangaroos.


2) Germany

Where Is It: Where you see the Autobahn sign.

Speed Limit: Unrestricted if you're lucky.

Fastest Stretch: Wherever they aren't doing roadwork.


1) Bonneville Salt Flats

Where Is It: In Utah.

Speed Limit: Have fun.

Fastest Stretch: In the middle.

Utah might have a general 80 mph speed limit, but Bonneville has different rules. It might not be a road per se, but you can drive there and you can go as fast as you please.

(courtesy of Jalopnik)

The Ten Worst Traffic Jams in History!

No one likes to get stuck in traffic, but next time it takes you an extra 15 minutes to get home, stay calm and remember: it could be worse. Here are the 10 worst traffic jams in history, listed alphabetically:

• Beijing, China: August 2010 - 62 miles long, lasted 12 days
• Bethel, New York (Woodstock): August 1969 - 20 miles long, lasted 3 days
• Chicago, Illionois: February 2011 - Rush hour blizzard buries motorists for 12 hours in 2 feet of snow
• East/West Germany: April 1990 - After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Germans trying to reconnect with their families led to over 18 million cars jamming up the highways
• Interstate 45, Texas: September 2005 - Hurricane Rita led to a mass evacuation from Houston to Galveston causing a 100-mile jam for 48 hours
• Lyon-Paris, France: February 1980 - Bad weather caused a 109-mile traffic jam
• Moscow, Russia: November 2012 - Snowstorms shut down a highway from St. Petersburg to Moscow for 3 days
• New York City, New York: September 2001 - In the days after the attacks on September 11th, New York City was virtually locked down to all traffic except emergency vehicles leaving thousands of travelers stranded
• San Paulo, Brazil: June 2009 - 182 miles of traffic jams over 522 miles of road
• Tokyo, Japan: August 1990 - Over 15,000 vehicles crawled along 84 miles of highway between Hyogo and Shiga

 

The Craziest Laws in Tennessee

Every state has its fair share of outrageous, crazy laws, and our state in particular is no exception. Some of the laws have been repealed, and some are still in the books, but at one time all of these were the law of the land in Tennessee. What law do you think is the craziest? Let us know, fans!

• "Crimes against nature" are prohibited.
• Any person crippling, killing or in any way destroying a proud bitch that is running at large shall not be held liable for the damages due to such killing or destruction.
• Driving is not to be done while asleep.
• Dyersburg: It is illegal for a woman to call a man for a date.
• Fayette County: You may not have more than five inoperable vehicles on a piece of property.
• Hollow logs may not be sold.
• In Jonesboro, Tenn., a slingshot used to be classified by law as a deadly weapon.
• In Memphis, it is illegal for a woman to drive a car unless there is a man either running or walking in front of it, waving a red flag to warn approaching motorists and pedestrians.
• In Tennessee it is illegal to use a lasso to catch fish.
• It is illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish.
• It is legal to gather and consume road kill
• It's illegal for frogs to croak after 11 PM.
• Knoxville: In front of their buildings, all businesses must have a "hitching post."
• Lexington: No one may eat ice cream on the sidewalk. Spitting on the sidewalk is prohibited.
• Memphis: It's illegal for frogs to croak after 11 PM. Panhandlers must first obtain a $10 permit before begging on the streets of downtown Memphis. It is illegal to give any pie to fellow diners. It is also illegal to take unfinished pie home. All pie must be eaten on the premises.
• Stealing a horse is punishable by hanging.
• You can't shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile.
• Oneida: An ordinance forbids anyone to sing the song "It Ain't Goin' To Rain No Mo'."

(courtesy of Crazy Topics)